Who can sponsor a relative to Canada under family immigration?

Family sponsorship is an important pathway for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with their loved ones and bring them to Canada as permanent residents. However, not everyone is eligible to sponsor a family member to Canada. In this blog post, we will explore who can and cannot sponsor a family member to Canada.

Who Can Sponsor a Family Member to Canada?

Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are 18 years of age or older can sponsor eligible family members to come to Canada as permanent residents. The following are the types of family members that can be sponsored:

Spouses or Common-Law Partners: Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their spouses or common-law partners to come to Canada as permanent residents.

Dependent Children: Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their dependent children to come to Canada as permanent residents. The child must be under 22 years of age and not have a spouse or common-law partner.

Parents and Grandparents: Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their parents and grandparents to come to Canada as permanent residents. The government of Canada has recently increased the annual cap on applications for this program to allow more parents and grandparents to be sponsored.

Other Eligible Relatives: In some cases, Canadian citizens and permanent residents may also be able to sponsor other eligible relatives, such as siblings, nieces, or nephews, to come to Canada as permanent residents. However, this pathway is only available in limited circumstances and requires the sponsor to meet certain eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to sponsor a family member under the Family Class sponsorship program in Canada, the sponsor must:

1. Be at least 18 years old

2. Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

3. Reside in Canada, or intend to reside in Canada when the sponsored family member arrives

4. Sign an undertaking to provide financial support for the sponsored family member for a certain period of time, depending on the type of family member being sponsored

5. Meet certain income requirements to ensure they are capable of providing financial support

6. Not be in default of a previous sponsorship undertaking or government loan

7. Not have been convicted of certain criminal offenses, such as domestic violence or sexual assault

In addition to these eligibility criteria, each family member being sponsored must also meet certain eligibility requirements. For example:

1. Spouses or common-law partners being sponsored must prove that their relationship is genuine and that they plan to live together in Canada

2. Dependent children being sponsored must be under 22 years of age and not have a spouse or common-law partner

3. Parents and grandparents being sponsored must pass medical and security checks and meet certain income requirements

4. Other eligible relatives being sponsored must meet certain eligibility criteria and provide evidence of their relationship to the sponsor

Who Cannot Sponsor a Family Member to Canada?

Not everyone is eligible to sponsor a family member to Canada. The following are some of the individuals who cannot sponsor a family member to Canada:

1. Individuals who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

2. Individuals who have been convicted of certain criminal offenses or who are in prison.

3. Individuals who have failed to provide financial support to a previously sponsored family member or have defaulted on a government-sponsored loan.

4. Individuals who are in default of a previous sponsorship agreement.

It's important to note that the eligibility requirements for family sponsorship can be complex and may vary depending on the type of family member being sponsored. Even if you are eligible to sponsor a family member to Canada, the process can be complex and lengthy.

If you are interested in sponsoring a family member or have questions about the process, reach out to our firm to ensure that you have the best chance of success.